South Florida Muslims Foster Interfaith Connections During Ramadan

Since early March, Muslims in South Florida have gathered each evening at 7:29 p.m. to break their fast with dates, followed by the Maghrib prayer and iftar dinners, Wlrn.org reported.

At the Islamic Center of Greater Miami, an open house iftar welcomed attendees from various faiths, who shared Mediterranean dishes like rice, kebab, and hummus.

Dima Samra, the daughter of the mosque’s imam, recalled that open house iftars were uncommon before the events of September 11, 2001, which heightened negative perceptions of the Muslim community. Now, such gatherings occur regularly during Ramadan, allowing Muslims to feel more integrated into the broader community.

Last year, some mosques suspended open house iftars due to security concerns stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict. Despite ongoing incidents of Islamophobia, the situation has improved, according to Tehsin Siddiqui, president of the Coalition of South Florida Muslim Organizations (COSMOS). This Ramadan, the emphasis is on civility and peace, culminating in the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr this Saturday.